Arab Americans in Publicly Financed Alcohol/Other Drug Abuse Treatment

Little is known about Arab Americans, a rapidly growing ethnic group, and their involvement in alcohol/other drug abuse treatment. Using fiscal year 2005 Michigan data for all publicly funded alcohol/other drug abuse treatment, Arab American admissions were compared to admissions for American Indian, Hispanic, African American, and Non-Hispanic/Non-Arabic White. Arab Americans appear to account for a disproportionately small percentage of admissions to publicly funded alcohol/other drug abuse treatment. Admission profiles were generally similar across ethnicities, with the exception that Arab Americans were entering treatment after shorter duration of use. These data can inform development of treatment programs and outreach efforts.